Tunnel of strategic value: Khushal Thakur

KULLU, OCTOBER 1

Brigadier Khushal Thakur (retd), chairman-cum-managing director, State Ex-Servicemen Corporation, said that Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, was a major step in having all-weather road connectivity to the border areas.

He said the north and south portals of the tunnel were given shape while he was General Manager (Administrator) from 2010 to 2013 with Strabag Afcon Joint Venture (SAJV) that constructed the tunnel. “A large number of impediments did surface during the project implementation but with sheer determination of team members of SAJV and the BRO, all these challenges were overcome albeit with budgetary penalty,” he said.

He said the tunnel was of importance for the movement of people and goods. It holds immense military and strategic importance for the armed forces.

Remembering Kargil War, he said that on May 20, 1999, his unit 18 GRENADIERS along with 2 RAJRIF was tasked to recapture Tololing. He said that Manali-Sarchu-Leh road was the main line of communication during the war. He said but now Now Atal Tunnel having been completed, it would boost the morale of the soldiers who stand tall guarding the frontiers on the icy peaks.

He said that in the present face-off with China, the tunnel would assume added importance. He said Atal Tunnel was one of the only two routes to Ladakh, the other being via the Zojila Pass, which connects the Kashmir valley to Drass.

“It is essential to provide all-weather connectivity with Ladakh at this critical juncture when the winter is about to begin.”

Thakur said, “Atal Tunnel has placed us in a better position in a conflict scenario”. He said that a third route Darcha-Padum-Nimu, which requires building a 4.5-km tunnel under Shinku La, however, can be a faster alternative to reaching Ladakh. — OC